Welcome to the East Carolina Heart Institute

The East Carolina Heart Institute is the first in North Carolina devoted exclusively to education, research, treatment and prevention of cardiovascular diseases.

More than 1.3 million people live in the 29 counties of eastern North Carolina, and in this region, cardiovascular disease is more prevalent than any other place in the nation. With such a compelling need, physicians and staff with Vidant Medical Center have developed particular expertise in treating cardiovascular disease. The hospital, as an academic medical center, and East Carolina University are committed to educating physicians not only here but also worldwide.

Cardiovascular Services at PCMH have long been established as well integrated, internationally recognized programs that span the continuum of care from prevention and diagnosis to treatment and rehabilitation. Top-notch teams of physicians and researchers affiliated with PCMH and ECU have received international acclaim for advances in minimally invasive and robotic-assisted surgery. The Robotic Research and Training Center instructs physicians from around the globe in the use of the robotic da Vinci® Surgical System.

The establishment of the Heart Institute formalizes the close synthesis of cardiovascular services at these two institutions as well as the integration of basic science and clinical research with the clinical practice of medicine and surgery.

Please take a moment to view this short video for a message from Dr. W. Randolph Chitwood, Jr.,  Director of the East Carolina Heart Institute.